Compare: Rancilio Silvia vs. Ascaso Dream UP

We had a few customer & viewer requests to do a side by side feature comparison of these two semi-automatic espresso machines. Gail walks us through their functionality, pros, cons, etc.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• rancilio silvia
• ascaso dream up
• comparison
• review
• espresso machines

[44Bigs]

I actually looked at both these machines. The main reason I chose the Dream over the Silvia was because everyone kept insisting that it requires a lot of effort to get a good shot out of the latter. This scared me off as a beginner. However, I don't find the Dream (with non-pressurized upgrade) particularly user friendly either. In retrospect I wish I had gone with the Silvia since I'm sure I can handle it. The Dream is really perty though :) and the coffee is great! Saving for a Rocket now ;)

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@44Bigs Yeah, the Dream is only more user friendly if you use the pressurization stuff, that's true of all machines. The Silvia often gets bad press -- it's not that it's particularly difficult to use, but you just have to start working like a barista, that's all :) But the Rocket will beat both of them hands down! (unless you're Bunny) - Kat

[bzikofski]

Thanks a TON for all your videos! I'd love to make business Gail&Kat, but I'm not anywhere near Seattle ;)

Anyway, this was a very very very useful comparison as I'm right now looking to upgrade my basic machine (LaPavoni). I was considering Ascaso Uno Pro but then I found some info on Rancilio Silvia and I'm all in love with her ;)

Imho Silvia and Uno Pro (non-pod, non-PID) are pretty much much more similar than Silvia and Dream. Any chance for such comparison?

Thanks! All the best!

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@bzikofski We don't have an Uno Pro around anymore to do comparisons on video, but I can tell you that the build quality/longevity of the Rancilio outpaces that of the Ascaso. Between the two, the Silvia will definitely last longer, and if you can retrofit it with a PID, it's a really awesome choice. Let me know if you have any other questions and I'll try to help :) - Kat

[bzikofski]

@SeattleCoffeeGear I'm also more convinced by the better capabilities of the wand in RS... Before I get her, I'm getting a grinder and again dillema between same brands: i-Steel vs Rocky.. I'm all into espresso so stepless sounds better to me in this case, with conical vs flat burrs being less important criterion (and noise the least ;). I've seen your comment on conical i-Steel being inconsistent but will that matter for Silvia really? we're talking home machines after all.. Thanks!

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@bzikofski I'd go with the Rocky for longevity, as well; but if you can swing a stepless or a hybrid like the Baratza Vario, that will give you the best results. Also, the NS Grinta has smaller notches so even though it's stepped the variance isn't as wide as some - Kat

[bzikofski]

@SeattleCoffeeGear got it.. Well looks like I will go RRRRancilio all the way, for me this set should last forever ;) I found some deal for Vario model by Mahlkoenig and Isomac by Mahlwerk but I can't find much on them. And RR is known for a reason.. So why I even bother looking? Guess that's the way I am.. Thanks again!

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@koby1960 All opinions welcome! But your analogy was just a bit too disparate of a difference; a Fiat vs. a Honda? :) - Kat

[koby1960]

@SeattleCoffeeGear Maybe...for me the Ascaso is just more of a fashion/design thing

while the Silvia is the solid/functional machine--but than, it's just my humble opinion.

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@klarinetta That is pretty rare; it requires more skill to get a good shot from the Silvia than on a commercial machine, but the shots from the Silvia vs. the Ascaso are pretty similar. More often than not, people don't get results they'd get on a commercial machine, but it is do-able - Kat